WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) -- Ronnie Tallman says that when he joined the Marines, he never expected a spiritual transformation that would put his newfound Navajo tribal beliefs in conflict with his military duties. A military screening board interviewed psychiatrists and a chaplain, among others, before determining Jan. 11 that Tallman's newfound status as a type of Navajo medicine man was "simply a means to avoid combat deployment to Iraq." On Wednesday, however, the military changed course, granting Tallman conscientious objector status. "I didn't expect this. I'm really happy right now," Tallman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from the California base.No doubt he is happy. I can hear him singing the "Happy Happy, Joy Joy" song all the way over here in DC. Those tribal beliefs have certainly changed since Navajo WARRIORS fought Kit Carson and his troops or since Navajo Code Talkers changed the course of the war in the Pacific.
Stern lectures for the logically-challenged. Others have opinions, I have convictions.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
A Happy Navajo
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